Title
Parental Perception of Premature Infant Growth and Feeding Behaviors: Use of Gestation-Adjusted Age and Assessing for Developmental Readiness During Solid Food Introduction
Publication Date
2014
Journal Title
Clin Pediatr
Abstract
Background. The extent to which pediatricians inform parents about gestation-adjusted age growth plotting is unclear. Uninformed parents may have decreased satisfaction of infant growth. Subsequent early introduction of solid foods may lead to avoidant feeding behaviors and poor parental perception of infant feeding patterns. Methods. Questionnaires regarding infant growth and feeding behaviors were given to parents (n = 76) of premature infants. The Wilcoxon rank-sum and chi(2)/Fisher's exact tests were used. Results. Uninformed parents were less satisfied with their infant's growth (P < .002). Uninformed parents had more developmentally unready infants at the time of solid food introduction compared with informed parents (P = .03). Significant differences were found in avoidant feeding behaviors and parental perception of infant feeding patterns between developmentally ready and unready infants. Conclusion. Pediatricians should adjust for gestational age when plotting growth and assess for developmental readiness for premature infants when recommending solid foods.
Volume Number
53
Issue Number
13
Pages
1271-1277
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2014/06/26
Status
Faculty; Northwell Researcher
Facility
School of Medicine; Northwell Health
Primary Department
General Pediatrics
Additional Departments
Obstetrics and Gynecology
PMID
DOI
10.1177/0009922814540039